Chaska Police Chief Scott Knight recently received an e-mail asking about who is responsible for digging fire hydrants out of the snow and issued this reply:

“We always remind folks to ‘watch over their’ hydrants. In fact I have put out a reminder in our CPD 411 newsletter in the past.

“You are right that this is a danger in that a buried hydrant will dramatically slow down CFD response and fire suppression efforts.

“There is no requirement that a particular homeowner dig out any hydrant. It boils down to being safety conscious, and being a good neighbor/neighbors.

“Perhaps digging out a particular hydrant(s) could be a project of ‘enlisted’ neighbors, on the street. One could make short work of it on a Saturday afternoon, and clear all hydrants on/in a street/neighborhood ... it would spawn a good social event, too.”